Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Curator: Here we see a bronze coin, titled "Coin of Justinian I," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Isn't it remarkable how much history is etched onto such a small, unassuming surface? It gives me an almost melancholy feeling, thinking of the hands it passed through. Curator: The coin’s imagery is quite deliberate. On one side, we observe a portrait of Justinian, encircled by inscriptions. Editor: And the other side, a large 'M', presumably a monetary denomination, all rendered with a stark, almost brutal simplicity. The symbolism seems so… direct. Curator: Indeed, there’s a clear visual language at play. The coin embodies power and authority through precise lines and forms. Editor: It's a poignant reminder that even the smallest object can speak volumes about its time, its ruler, and the lives it touched. Curator: Yes, a convergence of artistic expression and socio-political messaging in one carefully crafted object.